Door latch device

ABSTRACT

In its simplest form the device includes a main body or frame having a first guide groove adapted to receive a substantially Ushaped arm with an aperture therethrough of a striker assembly, and second and third guide grooves aligned across the first guide groove to provide a passageway for a bolt sliding into and out of engagement with the U-shaped striker arm. A detent is provided to normally hold the bolt within the second guide groove against the force of spring means urging the bolt toward the third guide groove. Upon closure of the door the striker arm enters the first guide groove to turn the detent out of engagement with the bolt, whereupon the bolt is caused by the spring means to become partly received in the third guide groove through the aperture in the striker arm, thereby engaging the same in the fully latched position. The striker arm can also be engaged in the secondary latched position by abutments formed in the bolt. There are further disclosed herein several other embodiments of the invention.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,912,315

Yamanaka Oct. 14, 1975 DOOR LATCH DEVICE Primary ExaminerRichard E. Moore [75] lnvemor' Mmoru Yamanaka Toyota Japan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stevens, Davis, Miller & [73] Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Japan M h [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT 21 App]. N0.I 424,325

In its simplest form the device includes a main body or frame having a first guide groove adapted to receive a Foreign Application Priority Data substantially U-shaped arm with an aperture there- Dec. 13, 1972 Japan 47-124972 through of a striker assembly, and second and third Dec. 13, 1972 Japan..... 47-124973 guide grooves aligned across the first guide groove to Dec. 30, 1972 Ja an..... 47-2297 provide a passageway for a bolt sliding into and out of Mar. 31, 1973 .la anw. 1. 4837049 engagement with the U-shaped striker arm. A detent is Apr. 25, 1973 Ja an 48-47394 provided to normally hold the bolt within the second guide groove against the force of spring means urging [52] US. Cl. 292/335 the bolt toward the third guide groove. Upon closure [51] Int. Cl. EOSC l/ 12 of the door the striker arm enters the first guide [58] Field of Search 292/191, 198, 335, 332, groove to turn the detent out of engagement with the 292/333 bolt, whereupon the bolt is caused by the spring means to become partly received in the third guide [56] References Cited groove through the aperture in the striker arm,

UNITED STATES PATENTS thereby engaging the same in the fully latched posi- 275082 4/1883 Saunders et aL 292/335 tion. The striker arm can also be engaged in the sec- 712,07s 10 1902 Kuebler 292/335 OHdary latched Position y abutments formed in the 1535343 5/1926 Good 9 335 bolt. There are further disclosed herein several other 1,880,585 10/1932 Tibbetts..... 292/335 embodiments of the invention.

2 240,400 4 1941 Johnson 292 335 093,992 6/1963 Franco 292 2 1 6 x 16 Clam, 42 Drawmg figures US. Patent 0.14,1975 Sheet10f25 3,912,315

U.S. Patent 00. 14,1975 SheetZof 25 3,912,315

US Patent Oct.14,1975 Sheet3of25 3,912,315

FIG. 6

FIG.

US. Patent Oct.14,l975 Sheet 40f25 3,912,315

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet50f25 3,912,315

FIG. 9

U.S. Patent Oct.l4,1975 Sheet60f25 3,912,315

FIG. ll FIG. I2

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 7 of 25 3,912,315

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 8 of 25 3,912,315

FIG. l6

FIG. l5

U.S. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet9of25 3,912,315

Sheet 10 of 25 3,912,315

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 US, Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet1l0f25 3,912,315

US. Patent 0t.14,1975 Sheet 12 of25 3,912,315

FIG. 25

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 14 of 25 3,912,315

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n7 FIG. 26C

n70 A ll? US. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 16 0f25 3,912,315

FIG. 28

C O 9 2 .D n mw%w r rm m o .|l|| 9 L 2: u 2 0 l k1 7 I H l I l y 2 US. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 17 of 25 3,912,315

FIG. 30

US. Patent O ct.14,1975 Sheet 18 0f25 3,912,315

U.S. Patent Oct.14, 1975 Sheet 19 0f25 3,912,315 

1. A door latch device for cooperative use with a striker, comprising: A frame having a first guide groove adapted to receive said striker, a second guide groove extending normally to and communicating with said first guide groove, and a third guide groove aligned with said second guide groove across said first guide groove; a bolt slidable along and through said second and third guide grooves; detent means normally engaging said bolt to hold the same in said second guide groove, said detent means being disengaged from said bolt upon entrance of said striker into said first guide groove; a first lever turnably supported on one side of said frame and being turned in a predetermined direction upon entrance of said striker into said first guide groove before said detent means is disengaged from said bolt; an extension spring having one end thereof coupled to the free end of said first lever; and a second lever turnably supported on said one side of said frame and having a free end coupled to the other end of said extension spring and held against said bolt in such a manner that no substantial tension is normally exerted on said extension spring, whereby said extension spring is stretched when said first lever is turned in said predetermined direction upon entrance of said striker into said first guide groove, the energy thus stored in said extension spring being utilized to cause said second lever to force said bolt to slide in said second groove toward said third guide groove when said detent means is thereafter disengaged from said bolt.
 2. A door latch device as defined in claim 1 wherein said striker is of the type having a substantially U-shaped striker arm.
 3. A door latch device as defined in claim 1 wherein that end of said bolt directed toward said third guide groove is recessed to define abutments adapted to engage said striker in a secondary latched position.
 4. A door latch device as defined in claim 1 including means for facilitating the release of said striker from said first guide groove, said means comprising: A pin slidably extending through a bore formed transversely through said bolt, said pin being urged in one direction by spring means whereby one end of said pin normally projects out of said bore to engage said second lever; and a release lever turnably coupled to said bolt to move the same out of engagement with said striker, said release lever including a portion engaging the other end of said pin, which also projects out of said bore, in such a manner that when said release lever is operated to move said bolt out of engagement with said striker, said pin is caused to move in the other direction against the force of said spring means until said one end of said pin is withdrawn into said bore out of engagement with said second lever.
 5. A door latch device for cooperative use with a striker, comprising: A frame having a first guide groove adapted to received said striker, a second guide groove extending normally to and communicating with said first guide groove, and a third guide groove aligned with said second guide groove across said first guide groove; a main bolt slidably received in said second guide groove so as to be slidable into and away from said first guide groove; first spring means urging said main bolt toward said third guide groove; detent means normally engaging said main bolt to hold the same in said second guide groove against the force of said first spring means, said detent means being disengaged from said main bolt upon entrance of said striker arm into said first guide groove; an auxiliary bolt coupled to said main bolt so as to be turnable in one direction only relative to said main bolt against the force of second spring means, said auxiliary bolt including a portion normally projecting into said first guide groove in a manner such that upon entrance of said striker into said first guide groove, said auxiliary bolt is caused to temporarily retract into said second guide groove together with said main bolt against the force of said first spring means before said detent means is disengaged from said main bolt, thereby permitting said striker to advance therepast, whereby when said detent means is succeedingly disengaged from said main bolt, said main bolt is caused by said first spring means to project into said first guide groove while said auxiliary bolt is received in said third guide groove; and release means normally preventing the rotation of said auxiliary bolt in said one direction relative to said main bolt, said release means being operable to permit said auxiliary bolt to be turned in said one direction by said striker to permit the latter to escape from said first guide groove.
 6. A door latch device as defined in claim 5 wherein said striker is of the type having substantially U-shaped striker arm.
 7. A door latch device as defined in claim 5 wherein said auxiliary bolt is recessed to define an abutment adapted to engage said striker in a secondary latched position in cooperation with an adjacent edge of said main bolt.
 8. A door latch device as defined in claim 5 wherein said release means comprises: A pin slidably extending through a bore formed transversely through said main bolt, said pin being urged in one direction by third spring means whereby one end of said pin normally projects out of said bore to engage said auxiliary bolt, thereby preventing the same from turning in said one direction relative to said main bolt; and a release lever turnably coupled to said main bolt to move both of said main and auxiliary bolts out of engagement with said striker, said release lever including a portion engaging the other end of said pin which also projects out of said bore, in a manner such that when said release lever is operated to move said main and auxiliary bolts out of engagement with said striker, said pin is caused to move in the other direction against the force of said third spring means until said one end of said pin is withdrawn into said bore out of engagement with said auxiliary bolt.
 9. A door latch device as defined in claim 4 further comprising: A third lever pivotally supported on said first lever; means for regulating the motion of said third lever in a manner such that upon rotation of said first lever in said predetermined direction, said third lever is first caused to revolve around the axis of rotation of said first lever in the same direction therewith through a predetermined angle and then to turn on its own pivot point in the opposite direction until at least one free end of said third lever returns to substantially the same position as that it assumed before said first lever was turned in said predetermined direction thereof; a locking lever turnably supported on said one side of said frame so as to be turnably between a door locking position and a door unlocking position; an opening lever pivotally supported on said locking lever at a position offset from the axis of rotation of the latter whereby said opening lever is pivotable on its own pivot between a normal position and a door opening position independently of said locking lever while also being revolved around the rotational axis of said locking lever as the latter is turned between said door locking and unlocking positions thereof; a fourth lever turnably supported at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof on said one side of said frame, said fourth lever having one end thereof disposed in a position engageable with said opening lever when said locking lever is in said door unlocking position and unengageable with said opening lever when said locking lever is in said door locking position, the other end of said fourth Lever being disposed in a position engageable with said release lever, whereby when said opening lever is turned form said normal position to said door opening position while said locking lever is in said door unlocking position, said fourth lever is turned to operate said release lever in a manner such that said bolt is moved out of engagement with said striker received in said first guide groove; and a second extension spring extending between said one free end of said third lever and said locking lever in a manner such that no substantial tension is normally exerted on said second extension spring, whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in said door locking position and said opening lever in said normal position, said locking lever is automatically returned to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a self-cancelling operation, and whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in said door locking position and said opening lever in said door opening position, said locking lever is prevented from returning to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a keyless locking operation since then said opening lever abuts against said one end of said fourth lever.
 10. A door latch device as defined in claim 1 comprising: a release lever turnably coupled to said bolt to move the same out of engagement with said striker; a striker responsive lever turnably supported on one side of said frame, provided with a spring disposed between said lever and said frame and being turned in a predetermined direction against biasing force of said spring upon entrance of said striker into said first guide groove before said detent means is disengaged from said bolt; a third lever pivotally supported on said first lever; means for regulating the motion of said third lever in a manner such that upon rotation of said first lever in said predetermined direction, said third lever is first caused to revolve around the axis of rotation of said first lever in the same direction therewith through a predetermined angle and then to turn on its own pivot point in the opposite direction until at least one free end of said third lever returns to substantially the same position as that it assumed before said first lever was turned in said predetermined direction thereof; a locking lever turnably supported on said one side of said frame so as to be turnably between a door locking position and a door unlocking position; an opening lever pivotally supported on said locking lever at a position offset from the axis of rotation of the latter whereby said opening lever is pivotable on its own pivot between a normal position and a door opening position independently of said locking lever while also being revolved around the rotational axis of said locking lever as the latter is turned between said door locking and unlocking positions thereof; a fourth lever turnably supported at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof on said one side of said frame, said fourth lever having one end thereof disposed in a position engageable with said opening lever when said locking lever is in said door unlocking position and unengageable with said opening lever when said locking lever is in said door locking position, the other end of said fourth lever being disposed in a position engageable with said release lever, whereby when said opening lever is turned form said normal position to said door opening position while said locking lever is in said door unlocking position, said fourth lever is turned to operate said release lever in a manner such that said bolt is moved out of engagement with said striker received in said first guide groove; and a second extension spring extending between said one free end of said third lever and said locking lever in a manner such that no substantially tension is normally exerted on said second extension spring, whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in saId door locking position and said opening lever in said normal position, said locking lever is automatically returned to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a self-cancelling operation, and whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in said door locking position and said opening lever in said door opening position, said locking lever is prevented from returning to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a keyless locking operation since then said opening lever abuts against said one end of said fourth lever.
 11. A door latch device as defined in claim 9 wherein that end of said bolt directed toward said third guide groove is recessed to define abutments adapted to engage said striker in a secondary latched position.
 12. A door latch device as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for regulating the motion of said third lever comprises: A third extension spring extending between said first and third levers to urge the latter in said predetermined direction of rotation of said first lever; and a stop adapted to make contact with said third lever at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof when the same has been revolved around the axis of rotation of said first lever through said predetermined angle.
 13. A door latch device as defined in claim 4 further comprising: a locking lever supported on said one side of said frame so as to be turnable between a door locking position and a door unlocking position; an opening lever turnably supported on said locking lever at a position offset from the axis of rotation of the latter whereby said opening lever is turnable on its own rotational axis between a normal position and a door opening position independently of said locking lever while also being revolved around the rotational axis of said locking lever as the latter is turned between said door locking and unlocking positions thereof; a fourth lever turnably supported on said one side of said frame, said fourth lever having one edge engageable with said release lever and being turnable in a predetermined direction to operate said release lever; a fifth lever turnably supported on said one side of said frame in partly overlapping relationship to said fourth lever, said fifth lever also having one edge engageable with said release lever and having means to be turned in a predetermined direction to operate said release lever upon turning of said fourth lever in said predetermined direction thereof; and linkage means capable of operatively interconnecting said opening lever and said fourth lever when said locking lever is in said door unlocking position and of disconnecting said opening lever from said fourth lever when said locking lever is in said door locking position, whereby when said opening lever is turned from said normal position to said door opening position while said locking lever is in said door unlocking position, said fourth and fifth levers are successively turned to operate said release lever in a manner such that said bolt is moved out of engagement with said striker received in said first guide groove.
 14. A door latch device as defined in claim 13 further comprising: A third lever turnably supported on said first lever; means for regulating the motion of said third lever in a manner such that upon rotation of said first lever in said predetermined direction, said third lever is first caused to revolve around the axis of rotation of said first lever in the same direction therewith through a predetermined angle and then to turn on its own turning axis in the opposite direction until at least one free end of said third lever returns to substantially the same position as that it assumed before said first lever was turned in said predetermined direction thereof; a second extension spring extending between said one free end of said third lever and said locking lever in a manner such that no substantial tension is normally exerted on said second extension spring, whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in said door locking position and said opening lever in said normal position, said locking lever is automatically returned to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a self-cancelling operation, and whereby upon closure of the door while said locking lever is in said door locking position and said opening lever is in said door opening position, said locking lever is prevented from returning to said door unlocking position to permit the device to perform a keyless locking operation since then said opening lever is held immovable by said linkage means.
 15. A door latch device as defined in claim 13 wherein that end of said bolt directed toward said third guide groove is recessed to define abutments adapted to engage said striker in a secondary latched position.
 16. A door latch device as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for regulating the motion of said third lever comprises: A third extension spring extending between said first and third levers to urge the latter in said predetermined direction of rotation of said first lever; and a stop adapted to make contact with said third lever at a point intermediate between the two ends thereof when the same has been revolved around the axis of rotation of said first lever through said predetermined angle. 